Have You Sought Professional Training?

[BarryinIN]

This was touched on in another topic in this section, so I'll ask:

Have you sought professional training in defensive firearms use? And I don't mean whatever requirement your state may have. I mean something you had to take of your own accord.
Likewise for LE and Mil, the same thing. Not job-required, but taken on your own dime.

Simply out of curiosity.

I'll start. Yes.

 

[robertrwalsh]

Yes. I have been thru all 3 basic courses at Gunsite when Cooper still ran it. Also LFI-1 when Ayoob ran it. Also the basic pistol course at Front Site. Also road-show courses from Chuck Taylor and Jim Cirillo. Competent instruction and evaluation is desirable.

 

[creeksidewilly]

Yes, but not in recent years because of my age and health.

 

[Kal.38]

Yes, and even with many years of military training. I've still found many "civilian" courses informative and knowledgeable about individual regulations. If I can take one thing a way from any couse, it's been a success. IMHO

 

[FishKepr]

Yes, learned something new every time.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Yes, usually a couple of times a year. Next one is the end of July.

 

[steve696]

Yes,
Working through the NRA pistol courses: First was Defensive Pistol, next was Basic CCW. This fall I'll do Personal Protection Inside the Home, and then Personal Protecion Outside the Home. If I were ever to travel to one of the big-name academies, I would first look into Thunder Ranch.

 

[Always Faithful Holsters]

Yes, in the traditional fashion: on the range.
Yes, in the non traditional fashion: reading/watching from reputable trainers and then dry firing those drills and working them out on the range, usually with video focused on me for evaluation of performance considering targets and time.

 

[Denverd0n]

Yes, multiple courses. Looking forward to more.

 

[walkin' trails]

I had a boatload of professional training throughout my career, some in-house and some off the shelf. I've been retired for five years, started teaching CCW classes a couple of years ago, and realized I need to pursue a couple of classes a year on my own. I knocked out one in May, and will complete another in August. Both with emphasis on instructor skills. The May class's trigger time portion showed how I've slipped even though I can still qualify 90-100 percent on my state's handgun course, which I shoot for LEOSA. I am looking for good classes in my region focusing on reinforcement fundamental skills for experienced shooters. Trigger skills are perishable. Paul Howe, Rangemaster, TacCon, KR Training, Greg Ellifritz are top contenders. Of the students I see coming to test for the minimum state standards for CCW, most will never see the inside of a range again, and the 25-round, no time limit live fire test is the most stress they'll ever encounter outside of a live event. I was recently reading a publication from KR Training in Texas that reported about one percent of CCW students in that state ever go back and pursue additional training. I'm also focusing on getting my resources lined up to teach a little bit more for those who actually want to know more. I'm probably not going to make a lot of money doing it as there aren't a lot of people who consider my time worth anything. In the mean time, attending a couple of classes a year is my goal. Also thinking about getting back into IDPA. Again, those skills are perishable.

 

[Smoke]

The only real training I ever got was from my church. They hired a professional trainer to train the security team.

The very first thing I learned at the very first class I went to how much I didn't know. I'm pretty sure I screwed up every task they gave me and I failed the qualification at the end. It was wonderful for my ego.

I was very fortunate in that the trainer focused on the basics and went over them again and again and again and again. He occasionally threw in other aspects but the core was always the basics.

IMO the basics consist of safe gun handling, manipulating your firearm, loading it, unloading it, clearing malfunctions, Accuracy and shoot don't shoot.

The trainer went over those things every single time he trained us, once a quarter for about 5 years.

My military training mostly consistent of stress inoculation training.

 

[Lt.Donn]

This was touched on in another topic in this section, so I'll ask:

Have you sought professional training in defensive firearms use? And I don't mean whatever requirement your state may have. I mean something you had to take of your own accord.
Likewise for LE and Mil, the same thing. Not job-required, but taken on your own dime.

Simply out of curiosity.

I'll start. Yes.

Even though I am a pro instructor ( retired) I still attend at least 2 training classes each year... especially now that I'm nearly 73 I need regular tune ups.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

Even though I am a pro instructor ( retired) I still attend at least 2 training classes each year... especially now that I'm nearly 73 I need regular tune ups.

I'm the same age, and "tune-up" is a big part of the reason I take classes. Learning new stuff is another big part.

 

[jurnes]

YES

Monthly training:
2 hours
5-1 instructor to student ratio
class is specifically for CCW licensed/permitted shooters

 

[Rustyt1953]

I have never paid for professional training as I was taught by my father who drug a Garand and a 1911 in the ETO.

After that and for the next 20 years he qualified expert with both rifle and handgun.

Plus I picked up some helpful tips while in the sauna.

 

[SS336]

Professional help? Yes
Professional training? Nope

 

[65-2x2]

No, but my wife suggests that I get professional councling. I have considered hiring a professional street walker. Do either of those count? The only professional training (other than the military) that I have done was when I was taking a course for my NRA training credentials. I am too old for running and gunning.

 

[SixgunFife]

Yes, though it's time for more. Soon, Lord willing.

 

[Chuck Edwards]

No, but my wife suggests that I get professional councling. I have considered hiring a professional street walker. Do either of those count? The only professional training (other than the military) that I have done was when I was taking a course for my NRA training credentials. I am too old for running and gunning.

In the context of defensive training, there's little-to-no "running and gunning" involved. I've been in classes with physically handicapped folks.

 

[Frailer]

I have, and I highly recommend it to others.

After several years of shooting action pistol games I thought I was pretty good, but a two-day class with Ken Hackathorn was an eye-opening experience. And while it wasn't really "defensive" in nature, an Appleseed weekend bumped my rifle shooting up a notch.

The fresh perspective of a good instructor makes you re-think your own approach, and shooting drills you didn't come up with yourself on-demand and under close observation can reveal weaknesses you didn't know you had.

I have, however, been lax of late. This is a good reminder for me find a class to attend.

 

[DHernandez]

The market is saturated with "high speed" instructors with heavily fluffed resumes and lots of gear. I've been in federal LE over 30 years and been an FI as a collateral for 27. I've been fortunate to attend many levels of training and I can tell you almost none of it would apply to real-world civilian scenarios. For folks who aren't shooting/training monthly- these advanced skills are a waste. Cool to see and learn, but sometimes the best shooters and/or best tier 1 guys aren't the best instructors and there is a disconnect between high level tactical shooting methods and how most civilians train/practice. It's commonly said to save your money from the class and buy more ammo to shoot. There is truth in that, but really learning and mastering the basics from the grip to the draw to the presentation, sight alignment, target acquisition, support hand, trigger squeeze etc is what you need. Dry fire exercises, reload drills, dime drills etc will do wonders for your speed, confidence and survivability in a life threatening situation.

 

[Baltimoreed11754]

Ive done a couple of handgun safety classes with my son and an Appleseed pistol event with him and had some one on one with an instructor on handling my .45pcc. Good training is always beneficial.

 

[Onomea]

Yes. I've had several multi-day, professionally taught handgun classes over the years. I find I enjoy the training, and appreciate the boost in skills and self-confidence it leads to.

Should take training courses more often.

I notice the trainers themselves will often list the many training courses they have taken as students with other trainers.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

Yes, but not in recent years because of my age and health.

Same here but I did a find four hour refresher.

Basic CCW with drawing from pocket and drawing from holster from concealment. The best reminder was shoot and move (getting off the X) shoot and move, shoot and move.

 

[pantannojack]

USMC basic course, 1968. Mandatory Colorado Hunter Safety Course, multiple CCW courses. NRA High Power Rifle participation...

"This is my rifle. There are many like it but this one is mine..."

 

[tjg63]

This was touched on in another topic in this section, so I'll ask:

Have you sought professional training in defensive firearms use? And I don't mean whatever requirement your state may have. I mean something you had to take of your own accord.
Likewise for LE and Mil, the same thing. Not job-required, but taken on your own dime.

Simply out of curiosity.

I'll start. Yes.

Yes.
Professional training and practice are important. Training is more than just hitting a stationary paper target.
1. Understanding of the law
2. Knowing when you legally can draw your weapon for defense as the last resort
3. Knowing how to avoid or de-escalate or escape
4. The list goes on and on
Training is not cheap, but the cost of a mistake is significantly higher.

 

[Mike LaNier]

Someone wrote, "I didn't know how much I didn't know!" True, that. I've been fortunate enough to be able to attend Clint Smith's Thunder Ranch for classes in defensive pistol, revolver, and other classes. Outstanding instruction, and great training. Expensive? Sure.
Worth it? Every cent. Professional classes like Thunder Ranch, Gunsite, Ayoob classes, etc. are a great investment, but may well be a life saver for sure, noting clearly the legal implications of using a firearm. Highly recommended!

 

[BillyKframe]

The last training I had, just before COVID, was a basic hand gun safety, carry and shooting class paid for by my church (for all members men & women). The County Sheriff let us use their range and he came buy to visit. In the 2000s I took a Tactical Pistol Course by Rob Garrett in GA and it was the Jeff Cooper method. My most useful firearms training to this day was the free training (monetarily anyway) provided by our Uncle Sam.

 

[jasonfreeland]

Yes, but I need to do more. The next thing I need to take is a holster use class. Drawing from concealment is not as straightforward as it might seem and I would like to learn how to do it safely and effectively.

 

[mckenney99]

Since I retired I have tried to take at least 1 shooting class a year, sometimes I can't find something I'm interested in, within my budget or within a reasonable distance, sometimes I'm able to afford and schedule more than 1 a year. Not all of the classes are handgun related. I've taken Subgun/PCC, Shotgun, Revolver and Semi-auto classes. Most proper training offers something that translates into all firearms types. I also attempt to take some sort of "Trauma Treatment", "Stop The Bleed" or other "First Aid" type class every 5 years or so.